Create your own ‘street view’ with the launch of 360 degree cameras for consumers

Google is planning to offer “a simple way to share your perspective”, with a new ‘street view ready’ certification standard integrated with 20 new 360-degree cameras coming to market later this year. Google’s industry partners will be debuting their Street View hardware and desktop applications at its Street View Summit in Tokyo tomorrow.

“Whether you’re sharing your experience at a local market or on your recent vacation, publishing high-quality, interactive imagery no longer requires significant time and effort,” said Charles Armstrong, Google Street View’s product manager. “All you have to do is get one of the cameras, download the Street View app and start creating. You can walk, run, bike, drive – even ride a horse – while we do the heavy lifting of connecting each frame of your video into a traditional, interactive Street View experience.”

The cameras, which will be released over the coming months, all meet one of four new ‘Street View ready’ standards, offering the flexibility to choose the best way to upload imagery based on your interests.

“These tools are for anyone,” said Armstrong. “Whether you’re an avid traveler or a professional photographer enrolled in our Street View trusted photographer programme, Street View ready will give you what you need to recreate a place or space and invite others in.” To learn more about each of its Street View ready standards, visit the developer website.